Two Rockets Hit Russian Embassy in Syria

Two shells have hit the Russian embassy compound in the Syrian capital Damascus as hundreds of pro-government supporters rallied outside in support of Russian air strikes, BBC News reported.

The explosions triggered widespread panic as smoke was seen coming from the embassy compound, the report noted.

A BBC Arabic correspondent in Damascus said some people had been injured.

Rebel forces based in the suburbs of Damascus have already targeted the embassy in the past.

Activist group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the shells had come from an eastern area of the capital.

Moments before, demonstrators had been waving Russian flags and holding up photographs of Russian President Vladimir Putin, witnesses said.

Russia claims its airstrikes in Syria have been targeting alleged ISIS positions. At the same time, the U.S. says a large majority of Russia’s military strikes in Syria have not been aimed at the Islamic State group or jihadists tied to al-Qaida, and have instead targeted the moderate Syrian opposition, supported by the U.S.